Sports Injuries and Nasal Breathing Problems, How I Fix Post-Traumatic Noses

mrtimbiggs4
Nov 18
2 min read

Contact sports like rugby, football, boxing and hockey are common causes of nasal trauma. Even a seemingly minor blow can fracture or displace the nasal bones and cartilage, leading to both visible deformity and long-term breathing problems.

As a Consultant ENT and Rhinology Surgeon based in Portsmouth and Fareham, I regularly see patients with old or recent nasal injuries that never healed properly. Many are surprised to learn that both appearance and airflow can be restored, with one procedure, through functional septorhinoplasty.

What Happens When the Nose Is Injured

The nose has a delicate framework made of bone and cartilage. After trauma, swelling can mask the extent of injury.

When the swelling subsides, patients often notice:

A crooked or flattened nose
Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils
Snoring or nasal blockage at night
A visible hump, deviation, or asymmetry
Clicking or instability when touching the bridge

Sometimes, the septum, the internal wall dividing the nostrils, shifts out of place, narrowing the airway. This can make breathing difficult even years after the original injury.

Early Treatment vs. Delayed Correction

If an injury is assessed within the first 10–14 days, a simple closed reduction under anaesthetic may realign the bones.However, once the fracture heals or cartilage warps, a more definitive operation is needed: a functional septorhinoplasty.

This surgery rebuilds the internal septum, restores the external structure, and improves both breathing and symmetry in a single stage.

How Functional Septorhinoplasty Repairs a Broken Nose

At Adnova Clinic, I perform functional septorhinoplasty using Piezo ultrasonic instrumentation, an advanced technique that reshapes bone using sound waves rather than chisels.

This approach allows millimetre precision with minimal trauma, meaning:

Less bruising and swelling
No bone “breaking” in the traditional sense
No nasal packing – patients can breathe through the nose immediately
More predictable results

By realigning the septum, reconstructing any collapsed cartilage, and straightening the nasal framework, we restore natural airflow and facial balance.

Recovery and Results

After surgery, a small external splint protects the nose for one week. Most patients return to light activity within 7–10 days and notice easier breathing almost straight away. Results continue to refine over the following months as swelling settles.

Summary

Post-traumatic nasal deformity doesn’t have to be permanent. Whether the injury happened last week or years ago, functional septorhinoplasty can correct both breathing problems and cosmetic asymmetry in a single, modern, minimally traumatic procedure.

Consultations are available with Mr Tim Biggs, Consultant ENT & Rhinology Surgeon, at Adnova Clinic, Fareham, serving patients from Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester, and across Hampshire.